It's All Greek to Me but it sure is Gorgeous

So while mindlessly wandering about youtube I discovered quite possibly one of the most gorgeous epitaphs. The translations varies a bit at the end from another translation but presents an identical idea. I've kind of been really angry as of late (for those of you not following my infatuation with Billy Talent). But this was like ice water to the fire in my veins but in a good way. I won't say I'm cured of all my irritation but this is so simple an answer to what ails me that it seems insane that it's so hard to follow despite the fact that it is so true.

Like anything there is some debate about the accuracy of pronunciation and debocles between the sounds of Ancient Greek and Modern Greek but as I don't know any Greek I have not chosen to pursue the somewhat heated but still intellectual debate on the comment list.

While the video provided me with the phonetics and the translation, I thought that I would search out the actual Greek. I hope I found the right original text. Languages fascinate me and I wish I could learn them all and after Spanish and French in middle school, Spanish and German in high school, and now German in college I really can't help but love the learning of a language even more. I have books on Japanese, Chinese, and Korean languages and dictionaries on the roots of modern words, and I even have a Latin primer. I know it isn't possible to learn all the languages I wish I could know.

But, maybe, someday it won't just be Greek to me.

Seminary, anybody?

Without any more rambling ado...

"Song of Seikilos"

Ὅσον ζῇς φαίνου
Hoson zes phai-nou,
(As long as you live, shine!)

μηδὲν ὅλως σὺ λυποὺ·
Meden holo-os sy lypou-ou.
(Let nothing grieve you beyond measure.)

πρὸς ὀλίγου ἐστὶ τὸ ζῆν.
Pros oligon e-esti to ze-en,
(For your life is short,)

τὸ τέλος ὁ χρόνος ἀπαιτεῖ.
to telos ho chronos apaitei-ei.
(and time will claim its tribute.)


This was the most distinguishable recording I could find. There was another one that I enjoyed more but the words are a little indistinguishable and require intent listening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWyXPpf7Vjo

Love From,
Patchwork Prayers